Research Assistant – Agri-Business The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking to recruit a dynamic and experienced Research Assistant.
The Position: The Research Assistant will be expected to support formation of farmer producer organizations, youth groups and cooperatives. These organizations are farmer driven and are expected to bring farmers together with one voice and collectively market their produce. These organizations will be linked to markets and service provides including financial institutions. Additionally, the Research Assistant will contribute to integrating apical cuttings into seed systems for farmers, principally in relation to marketing. Key responsibilities:
- Conduct training in business skills and entrepreneurship for potato based cooperatives, farmer producer organizations and youth groups and support them develop own business plans.
- Support implementation of the business plans.
- Support the potato business to access markets.
- Support the potato business to access financial and credit service providers to support their business plans.
- Support the potato business to develop group savings schemes for internal borrowing and investment.
- Participate in events to promote potato apical rooted cuttings.
- Work with county teams to promote and support cuttings technology.
- Support private sector development to produce and use cuttings.
- Collect and report all data from activities.
Selection Criteria
- BSc. or BCom. in Agribusiness, Business Development, Agricultural Development, or a related field, from a recognized University;
- At least three years’ experience in agribusiness development or a related area working with farmer producer organizations demonstrating capacity to strengthen cooperatives and other farming groups.
- Working experience with agri-business and market development and analysis.
- In depth understanding of the business/accounting capacities needed to develop farmers and agricultural cooperatives into viable businesses.
- Proven experience linking farmer businesses to diverse types of markets.
- Proven experience linking farmer businesses to financial institutions.
- Proven experience developing group savings plans within farmer group.
- Proven experience training farmers and cooperatives in business skills, specific
experience with farmers involved in potato production as a business is an asset.
- Proven experience developing training program to develop numeracy capacities for
smallholder farmers.
- Advanced level of MS Office.
- Advanced written and oral communication skills in English.
- Fluent in Kiswahili.
Why should you consider this opportunity?
- CIP is a global and reputable international organization that has a strong, state-of-the-
art R&D background, and is a recent World Food Price Winner and awarded with the
Al-Sumait Award for our Orange Flesh Sweet Potato work in Africa.
- CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved nutrition and well-being, and
gender equality for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the
developing world.
- CIP is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a network of 15 research centers that are
mostly located in the developing world and supported by more than 50 donor members.
What are the conditions?
The position is Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position limited to Kenya nationals and
permanent residents only. The employment contract will be for a one-year term (with a 3-
month probation period).
How to apply?
Visit the following link: https://ift.tt/1Deii1t and submit your cover letter and a
full C.V. with your references. Screening of applications will begin on Jan 27, 2019 and will
continue until the post is filled. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Learn more about CIP by accessing our web site at http://www.cipotato.org
CIP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women are particularly encouraged to
apply
CIP does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview
meeting, processing or training). CIP also does not concern itself with information on
applicants’ bank accounts.
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